UNC Health Lenoir honors their physicians annually on March 30, National Doctor’s Day.  This celebration recognizes the contributions physicians make every day to the health and welfare of our community with an annual breakfast and recognition of new doctors that have joined the staff and milestones achieved through service to patients and families.   

A day to celebrate doctors originated in 1842 and was the brainchild of Eudora Brown Almond, the wife of Dr. Charles N Almond.  It became a nationally recognized event on March 28, 1933, and the first observances included honoring physicians and their wives with cards and flowers, events honoring doctors, and recognition of deceased doctors.  President George H.W. Bush signed a resolution on October 30, 1990, designating Doctor’s Day as a national holiday to be celebrated on March 30.  

The annual celebration at UNC Health Lenoir includes the recognition of physicians reaching their twenty fifth year of service to the organization.  This year, Dr. Bruce Baird, Pathologist and Dr. John Herlong, Radiologist are being honored for reaching this milestone in 2023.

Dr. Bruce Baird joined the pathology practice at UNC Health Lenoir in 1998. He attended undergraduate school, medical school, residency and fellowship at UNC and UNC School of Medicine.  He is board certified in anatomic and clinical pathology and has sub-specialty board certification in cytopathology   After his surgical pathology fellowship, Dr. Baird joined the faculty at ECU Brody School of Medicine for 5-1/2 years. He has authored several publications in medical journals and contributed chapters in several medical textbooks. “Congratulations to Dr. Baird on twenty-five years!  He is one of the best pathologists I’ve known. I thank him for being such a great partner and friend,” stated Dr. Michael Haddad.   

Dr. John Herlong joined Kinston Radiological Associates and the medical staff at Lenoir Memorial Hospital in 1998.  Dr. Herlong attended Furman University.  He continued his education at the Medical University of South Carolina for medical school and his radiology residency. Through his years at Lenoir, Dr. Herlong has been very active in medical staff affairs serving as chairman of several committees and served on the UNC Health Lenoir Board of Directors.  Dr Herlong is essential to his group as one of only a handful of general radiologists who perform guided biopsies and mammography. “Dr. Herlong is fabulous at reading radiographic studies.  It has been a pleasure to work with him for the last 25 years,” stated Dr. Lee Cox, Urologist at UNC Urology at Lenoir.  Dr. Herlong has been a valued part of the Kinston community. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Community Council for the Arts and Arendell Parrott Academy.  

On March 30, please join the team at UNC Health Lenoir in recognizing the wonderful physicians in our community and thanking them for all they do for their patients and the people of Lenoir and surrounding counties.   

About UNC Health Lenoir

UNC Health Lenoir, licensed for 199 beds, is a nonprofit hospital serving the Lenoir County area with acute, outpatient, and community health services. The hospital has a 117-year history of providing excellent care to the community. In addition to general medical, surgical, and obstetrical and gynecological care, UNC Lenoir offers specialized services including cardiology, pulmonology, oncology, radiology, and urology. Surgical specialties include general surgery, vascular, orthopedic, and bariatrics. UNC Health Lenoir affiliated with the UNC Health Care System in 2017. For more information or to find a physician, visit unclenoir.org.